Choice for a new gun

[joshmb1999]

Any opinions would be appreciated.....

I currently own 4 handguns and a few rifles & shotguns (sig p220, sig p232, taurus pt92 afs, s & w .357 mag.) and i love to shoot. I don't hunt, I only buy guns for self defense and to target shoot with some friends. I do own my CCL and do carry on most days so any new purchase could be used as a concealed carry gun. My current goal is to have at least one handgun in each of the main calibers (.38, .380, 9 mm, .40, .45, .44 mag, .357 mag etc...)

My next purchase is going to be a .40 caliber of some sort. The one i am leaning towards is a glock 23 but I would love to hear about some other good choices. Let me say that I don't particularly like H & K and I don't want another sig. Any and all others are open for debate. What do you all think?

[dgg9]

Try before you buy. Go to a range that rents. Almost all modern guns are accurate and reliable. It's all about features and manual of arms.

I will say this: if you have a dozen guns, spread out over all calibers and manuals of arms, and spread your practice time among all, you'll get decent with all, but not really capable on any one. And if you carry a variety of guns, it gets worse, since you won't have a lot of total-immersion type training and "muscle memory" (for lack of a better term) to fall back on. Experimentation is fine, but at some point, there's something to be said for settling on one package/caliber. Just a thought.

[TRB]

There are several choices that would probably work for you. You have mentioned the Glock 23 and it certainly is reliable. The Smith & Wesson M&P is also a great one, especially if you like the Glock manual of arms. The Springfield XD 40 pleases many people although it has a higher bore axis than the two above. Kahr also makes a nice, easily concealed carry piece. The only downside to the Kahr is that the trigger is long and a bit heavy, so you may not like to target shoot with it as much.

These are opinions from a stranger on the Internet. Take them for what they are worth.

[soberbyker]

Originally Posted by dgg9

.... but at some point, there's something to be said for settling on one package/caliber. Just a thought.

I totally agree here. My gun is a double action only gun. It has a long trigger pull each and every time you pull it. I have tried other guns with different trigger pulls, all good guns, but when I go from a single action or a double/single action it totally throws me off when I pick mine back up. It takes about a clip to re-accustom myself to the gun. Don't get me wrong, I have thoroughly enjoyed trying other guns, something I didn't do before I bought mine, but I find it best to practice a lot with one type, so it burns itself into your subconscious, so if you ever happen to be in a situation where you'll need your instincts to take over they will, you don't want to waste a second or two thinking about which gun you have where is the safety etc.

Just my $.04 (adjusted for inflation)

[jdlv4_0]

Barring HK and Sig, if your looking for a .40 I'd go with a Glock 22 or 23, a Springfield XD variant, or the Smith and Wesson M&P .40.

All 3 are similar in operation and are fine guns.

As stated above, find a place that rents, shoot all three and pick the one you like best.

[bubba23]

Originally Posted by dgg9

...Experimentation is fine, but at some point, there's something to be said for settling on one package/caliber. Just a thought.

I agree. That is one of the reason I like Glocks. I have can caliber choices with same frame, same action, same trigger pull. Except for a small difference in recoil, I know that each gun will function the way I expect. And a 22 conversion kit even gives you cheap practice with 22LR in the same package.

Not say Glock is better than others, but I sure like standardizing on one style of gun.

[joshmb1999]

The reason that I like forums like this one is that I will get opinions/thoughts that would have never occurred to me. Thanks for the good (and fast) feedback! I am definitely interested in the Smith & Wesson M & P. Any one out there have one that wants to share plusses and minus' of the weapon?

[aubie515]

Don't rule out the CZ and Steyr M40A1s as well. There are plenty of good options for 40 pistols, so buy the one that feels right in your hands.

[joshmb1999]

I'm not really familiar with either of those models...What kind of price are we talking about? I don't want to spend more than $500 on a new one.

[jdlv4_0]

CZ: http://www.cz-usa.com/products_handguns.php

http://www.gunsamerica.com/Search/Ca...Pistols/CZ.htm

Steyr: http://www.steyr-aug.com/m_series_pistols.htm

http://www.gunsamerica.com/Search/Ca...yr-Pistols.htm